title: FOLFOX6 and bevacizumab in non-optimally resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) R0 resection significantly improves overall survival (OS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this report, we present the results of a phase II trial of FOLFOX6+bevacizumab in patients with non-optimally resectable CLM. Patients received six cycles of FOLFOX6+ five of bevacizumab. Patients not achieving resectability received six additional cycles of each. A PET-CT was performed at baseline and again within 1 month after initiating treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From September 2005 to July 2009, 21 patients were enrolled (Male/Female: 15/6; median age: 65 years). An objective response (OR) was documented in 12 cases (57.1%; complete responses (CRs): 3, partial response (PR): 9); one patient died from toxicity before surgery. Thirteen patients underwent radical surgery (61.9%). Three (23%) had a pathological CR (pCR). Six patients (46.1%) experienced minor postsurgical complications. After a median 38.8-month follow-up, the median OS was 22.5 months. Patients achieving at least 1 unit reduction in Standard uptake value (SUV)max on PET-CT had longer progression-free survival (PFS) (median PFS: 22 vs 14 months, P=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FOLFOX6+bevacizumab does not increase postsurgical complications, yields high rates of resectability and pCR. Early changes in PET-CT seem to be predictive of longer PFS.
authors.affiliation: Oncology, Haematology and Respiratory Diseases Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy. bertolini.federica@policlinico.mo.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malavasi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scarabelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiocchi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bagni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Giovane
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gerunda
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Depenni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zironi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pettorelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luppi
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Conte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil